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Why Wasn't My Coin Conserved

Posted on 4/1/2005

Not all coins submitted to NCS will be conserved.Coins submitted to NCS for conservation will first be evaluated. This evaluation process will consider several important factors. Coins already certified will be evaluated to see if the stated grade will at least be maintained after conservation. Coins are also evaluated to seeif conservation work would, indeed, be beneficial. Once conservation is deemed necessary, coins will then be evaluated to determine the best techniques to improve both the appearance of the coin and its long-term stability. The evaluators look at each coin individually and give their opinions based on what will likely lead to the best results economically, aesthetically, and allow for the best long-term stability.

There are many instances where already certified coins will not be conserved when there is a significant risk that the stated grade may not be maintained after conservation. There are times that coins submitted are better left as is and not conserved. This can be true of coins with attractive toning or with blemishes struck into the surface. For coins that have not been certified, often times toning will hide irreversible surface problems, such as scratches, and removing the toning will only amplify the appearance of these problems. Situations where patina has developed on copper coins or when things such as lacquer have been applied to the surfaces may also lead to a coin not being conserved.

The final stage of the evaluation determines what conservation technique would be best for the coin. Knowledge and experience both come into play when an evaluator determines what, if any, conservation work should be done to a particular coin.